I've had this discussion with some of the vendors before...
The problem is that there simply are not enough of us who need the ball
joints or other parts to make it profitbale for the suppliers to build the
machinery to make them.
Parts manufacturers require a run of a certain amount before they will
consent to making the part. The intial setup and the tooling requirements
can cost thousands of dollars and the vendors can't make that commitment
unless they are pre-ordered by enough roadster owners.
The alternative is that they pay the money for the setup and then have the
parts sitting on their shelves- not something that appeals to them.
The sad fact is that there simply are not enough of us roadster owners and
that is a double-edged sword: We like the uniqueness of our cars but it
makes it a lot harder to find parts for them.
Andrew Murphy
1967.5 2000
SoCal
>From: "Jim Sylvester" <jim.sylvester@comcast.net>
>Reply-To: "Jim Sylvester" <jim.sylvester@comcast.net>
>To: "datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net" <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
>Subject: suspension parts
>Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 07:55:05 -0600
>
>The price of suspension pieces - particularly ball joints - has become
>ridiculous! (Ball joints for a 240Z are $38.for a SPL/SRL, they're $200!)
>
>
>
>I realize it's an issue of supply and demand with some of the parts nearly
>unavailable at any price, but why wouldn't a vendor step in to have the
>parts remanufactured by any one of the many off-shore after market parts
>suppliers? I'm sure there are enough of us out there who would commit (I
>could create something legally binding..the best and easiest way would be
>to
>create an escrow with the manufacturing to be undertaken upon full funding
>of the escrow account) to buying ball joints at a price that would be both
>reasonable to the buyer and profitable for the seller.
>
>
>
>Meanwhile, in case I've overstated the case of the price of these parts, I
>would dearly love to get a quote from someone on a steering / front
>suspension package that would include new ball joints, etc.
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